Methods and apparatuses related to golf club grips with attached or embedded rfid tags are described. In an embodiment, a rfid tag is attached to or embedded into a golf club grip and a rfid reader incorporated into a personal computing device may read or capture information associated with the rfid tag. The device may be configured to provide notifications to the golfer based on the captured information.
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1. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing executable instructions, which when executed cause a rfid-enabled device to perform a method comprising:
detecting, by a rfid-enabled device, presence of a rfid tag coupled with a golf grip;
receiving an input specifying a regrip condition, wherein the input is a user input;
prompting the user to provide the user input in response to detecting an initial presence of the rfid tag, wherein the user input specifies a duration; and
providing, in response to the regrip condition being met, a notification indicating the golf grip is due for replacement.
7. A machine implemented method, comprising:
storing a unique identifier (uid) associated with a rfid tag, the rfid tag coupled with a golf grip;
receiving identification information associated with a candidate golf grip, wherein the identification information includes a candidate uid;
comparing the candidate uid with the stored uid to determine whether the candidate golf grip is the golf grip; and
providing, in response to determining the candidate golf grip is the golf grip, a notification, wherein the notification includes a message associated with the stored uid and wherein the message prompts a user to provide an input specifying a regrip condition.
2. The medium of
3. The medium of
4. The medium of
receiving a unique identifier (uid) associated with the rfid tag;
detecting presence of a different rfid tag coupled with a replacement grip, wherein the different rfid tag is associated with a different uid; and
associating the replacement grip having the different uid with the received uid.
5. The medium of
capturing information associated with a golf club coupled with the golf grip, wherein associating the replacement grip with the received uid includes associating the different uid with the captured information.
6. The medium of
8. The method of
storing, in response to determining the candidate golf grip is the golf grip, usage information associated with a golf club coupled with the candidate golf grip; and
receiving a request for the stored information associated with the golf club; and
providing, based on access rights included in the request, the requested information associated with the golf club.
9. The method of
10. The method of
11. The method of
12. The method of
13. The method of
14. The method of
15. The method of
16. The method of
providing, in response to determining the candidate golf grip is not the golf grip, a notification, wherein the notification includes a guide to associating the candidate golf grip with the stored uid.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/751,760, filed Jan. 11, 2013.
Embodiments relate to sports, such as golf, and more particularly to golf club grips with embedded or attached radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.
Golf is a popular sport played with golf equipment including golf clubs and golf balls. Each golf club includes a head (the part that strikes the golf ball), a shaft, and a grip (the part where the golfer holds the club). When a golfer purchases a golf club it typically has the head, shaft and grip attached. It is common for the golfer to re-grip the golf club when the grip becomes worn over time. It is also common for a golfer to switch grips as a matter of preference of one type of grip over another. RFID tags may be attached, embedded, or otherwise affixed to golf clubs, and the RFID tags may be used to track and/or compile information about the golf clubs.
Prior art does not teach the concept of a golf grip with an embedded or attached RFID tag that may be configured to facilitate notification of a golfer, e.g., of usage information related to the golf grip. Further, prior art does not teach filtering techniques that may allow certain users to see certain data about a golf grip (or golf club the grip is attached to) while allowing other users to see other data about the same golf grip (or golf club the grip is attached to).
Apparatuses, methods and systems relating to RFID tags affixed to golf grips (which may be affixed to golf clubs); where the RFID tags are configured to communicate with RFID-enabled devices which may transfer information to a database, and multiple variations and uses of such apparatuses, methods and systems are described herein. It should be understood that although some of the embodiments are primarily related to golf club grips, other embodiments could be applied to grips attached to different objects, or to other objects, as well. As a non-limiting example, RFID tags may be affixed to a tennis racket grip or to a golf club shaft.
In an embodiment, a passive, near field communication (NFC) RFID tag may be permanently or semi-permanently affixed to a golf grip and users may use RFID-enabled devices to read or write information from or to such RFID tags. The information read from or written to the RFID tags may be associated with a database. Certain users with certain versions of an application residing on the RFID-enabled device and/or certain access rights can see certain information related to the tagged equipment and other users with other access rights or application versions may see other information.
In an embodiment, passive RFID tags (such as NFC tags) embedded in or attached to golf club grips may be used alone (e.g. without accompanying bar codes, or other marking mechanisms, etc.) on the tagged equipment at the point for manufacture or distribution, for purposes of equipment tracking.
In an embodiment, information accumulated by users may be uploaded from a RFID-enabled device to a data processing system (e.g. a server) used by the manufacturer or manufacturers or retailers or other distributors, either directly from the device (e.g. through a WiFi or Ethernet or cellular telephone connection provided by the device, or other coupled personal computing device), or the accumulated information may be transferred to another device (e.g. a laptop computer or other data processing system) which in turn may upload the accumulated information (e.g. via the Internet) to the data processing system used by the manufacturer or manufacturers or retailers or other distributors.
In an embodiment, an active RFID tag, such as a 2.4 GHz Bluetooth tag, may be in communication with a reading device to create a system. A tag may include an antenna, a transmitter or RFID chip, microprocessor and optional sensors. The tag may communicate with the device (e.g. golf GPS device, personal computing device, wearable electronics, etc.) and may be affixed to a grip, such grip attached to a golf club. A combination of club tag types (e.g. active and passive) and other marking media (e.g. bar codes) may be affixed to the golf grip and/or club for purposes of recording and tracking information unique to such club.
Methods of obtaining information about golf clubs after golf clubs are distributed are described. In an embodiment, a method includes a user associating identifiers from RFID tags to identifiers in a database. This may be performed by scanning a bar code or by reading the RF transmission from the tags on the golf clubs or by reading the tags with a RFID reader. This is performed prior to distributing the golf clubs. When an end-user device (e.g. golf GPS device) or other mobile device transmits the information (e.g. uploads the information wirelessly via the Internet to a database), the information may include the identifiers previously recorded, which may allow the golf club manufacturers or golf equipment distributors to associate the information with the previously stored identifiers for each golf club or tag.
Methods of obtaining information about golfer's behavior are described. In an embodiment, a user, such as a golf club manufacturer, may read the unique identifier in the grip/club-affixed (i.e. tag is affixed to grip and grip is affixed to club) RFID tag and store the identifier in a database. The user may distribute the golf equipment with the affixed RFID tags, after having read and stored the unique identifiers in a database. An end-user (e.g. golfer) may purchase the golf equipment at a golf retail location and, likely as part of a tag-specific or golf-specific application on a smart phone or other device, the golfer may read the tag with a RFID-enabled device while playing golf. As the golfer plays golf and records the clubs and locations of golf shots using tagged golf clubs and RFID-enabled devices, the data may be sent (e.g. wirelessly, via the Internet) to a database. The information stored in the database may capture information about the behavior of the golfer, such as: how often the golfer plays, where the golfer plays, what type of equipment the golfer uses, how often the golfer changes equipment, etc.
Methods of reminding golfers about the state of golf grips are described. In an embodiment, a RFID tag and/or golf software application (e.g., executable on a smart phone or other device) may be configured to notify a golfer that is it time to replace the grip or re-grip the golf club. The golfer may download a software application (e.g. onto a smart phone) upon or after purchasing the tagged equipment. Upon initial registration of the golf grip using the golf application, the user may be prompted to input a regrip condition defining a duration until the golf grip is due for regripping. The golf application may track or monitor grip usage, e.g., the amount of time or number of rounds the grip is used, and prompt the golfer at the specified time when the regrip condition is met with a message that appears on the display of the golf GPS device or personal computing device.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements.
Various embodiments and aspects will be described with reference to details set below, and the accompanying drawings will illustrate the embodiments. The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Numerous specific details such as sizes and shapes are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail.
Various embodiments refer to golf club tags or tag electronics that may be built-into or affixed to golf club grips at the time of manufacture. For example, embodiments may incorporate golf club tags or tag electronics as illustrated and described in related U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,226,495 and 8,624,738, and in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/305,722, 13/633,835 and 61/740,417, which are hereby incorporated in this application by reference.
The tag 300 shown in
The configuration shown in
In an example, one or more of the holes passing through the top part 501, bottom part 503, and RFID tag 502 may have a circular cross-sectional area. In alternative examples, one or more of the holes may be non-circular. For example, the tag hole may be circular, while the top hole may have a cross-sectional area that is shaped as a star, a square, a recognizable character, e.g., a logo, etc.
These parts may be assembled together to become one RFID tag assembly 500, as shown in
Top part 501 and bottom part 503 include features to facilitate joining one part to the other. For example, one part may include a recess or channel and the other part may include a corresponding peg or post that snaps or presses into the channel. Thus, the parts may be joined by an interference or resistance fit. Alternatively, one or more raised portions or lips may be provided along an outer edge of the parts, or along an inner edge near the holes passing through the parts. Thus, top part 501 and bottom part 503 may be joined in at least one location lateral to the encased RFID tag 502. These raised portions may be appropriately flat and dimensioned to contact one another when the parts are brought together. Thus, an ultrasonic welder may be used to join the parts together at the raised portions or lips.
It may be desirable for the RFID tag to be permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the golf grip. Various designs are possible, providing permanent, semi-permanent or temporary attachment of the RFID tag to the golf grip. In one example, the RFID tag is molded directly into the grip during the grip manufacturing process. This example would be considered permanent attachment of the RFID tag to the grip. In configuration 603 shown in
A user (e.g. golf equipment manufacturer) may desire to maintain or have access to a database of golf equipment sold (e.g. golf clubs). This database may contain detailed information about the equipment. For example, in the case of golf clubs, the database may contain club-specific data that includes details of the various components of the club, such as shaft material, club head loft, etc. The database may also include grip-specific data that includes details of the golf grip, such as type of grip, grip manufacturer, grip material, etc. A tag may be included permanently or semi-permanently in the golf club grip, and optionally a corresponding bar code label could be attached temporarily to the outside of the grip. The bar code may contain the same identifier as contained in the tag (or the bar code identifier could be associated with the tag identifier in a database) and the bar code label may travel with the tag throughout the manufacturing process of the tag. In an embodiment, when the tag is embedded in the golf grip, the bar code label is attached to the exterior of the grip. Thus, golf equipment manufacturers may use bar code reading equipment (that they are likely already set up with). After the golf club is assembled, the bar code may be scanned by the equipment manufacturer and the specific components may be recorded into the equipment manufacturer's database.
In an embodiment, as shown in
Such unique identifier may be associated with other information about the specific piece of equipment (e.g. such as custom details about each component of the golf club). These details may include date of assembly and distribution, name and location of the retailer the club is being shipped to, specifications about the golf club and grip, links to web sites for additional information, etc. Certain read privileges may be associated with certain users. For example, the end-user (e.g. golfer) may use a device 705 equipped with a RFID reader 703 to read the tag on the golf club. This RFID reader 703 may be incorporated into a device 705 (e.g. cell phone, golf GPS device, personal computing device, tablet) and the RFID reader 703 may work in conjunction with a golf data collection application or other application 704 that may be implemented in such a device. The device 705 may be granted limited access rights to information stored in tag identification database 708 or tag 701. For example, device 705 may request information from database 708, and the request may include (or not include) data representing access rights, e.g., a key. In response to receiving the request and evaluating the access rights of device 705, some information may be provided to device 705, but not other information. For example, device 705 may be allowed to retrieve information related to golf club specifications associated with tag 701, but be denied access to retailer information associated with tag 701.
Similarly, a representative of the golf club manufacturing company may read the tags 701, using the same type of device(s) 705 as the end-user (e.g. golfer), but the manufacturing representative may be granted access rights to information in the tag 701 or database 708 that end-users cannot see. For example, the representative may have a key or code stored in device 705 that can be provided with a request to access information related to distribution date, retailer the product was shipped to, etc. The key may be evaluated to determine that the representative has been granted access rights to view the information, and the information may be provided from database 708 or tag 701 to the representative, in response. Such filtering or granting of rights to certain information can be accomplished by having an application (e.g. a smart phone application) that has different versions or has features that can only be accessed by certain parties using passwords or keys. Further, information can be stored on tags that may only be able to be accessed by applications that have certain “keys” or codes to enable access to certain information. When an end-user receives a tagged product, the data may then be tracked by the equipment manufacturer, due to the wireless communication between the club tag 701 and devices 705 that may be connected to the Internet for data uploading and downloading. The data in the club tag 701 may contain the same identifier as the optional bar code stored in the equipment manufacturer's database (or tag code may be associated with the bar code in a database). Thus, the equipment manufacturer may take advantage of observing use patterns of the golfer.
Alternatively, in lieu of including a bar code and bar code reader in the process, the data may be tracked using the tag transmissions and a RF receiver or with a passive RFID tag and RFID reader to capture the data and record it in a database. This would eliminate the need for a bar code to travel with the tag as it is manufactured but would potentially require the equipment manufacturers to modify their equipment and processes to receive the tag transmissions. Other options are to use an active tag in the club in conjunction with a passive RFID tag that could be read by a RFID reader—in lieu of active club tags plus bar code labels.
Alternatively, in an embodiment, passive RFID tags (such as NFC tags) embedded in or attached to golf club grips could be used alone (e.g. without accompanying bar codes, etc.) for equipment tracking. The users (e.g. golf equipment manufacturers) may read the unique identifier from the tag and store it in a database. Additionally, users may write detailed information to the tag, again associated with the unique identifying in the tag and the database.
The golfer could register the club online with a device company or application developer (such as a golf GPS device company or golf equipment company) so the golfer may take advantage of compiling data corresponding to the golf games played and club usage. Additionally, the system may gather information about which golf course the golfer is playing, how often the golfer uses a particular golf club and how often they golf. This information may be valuable to golf equipment retailers or equipment manufacturers and may be provided to such retailers or manufacturers. A personal computing device 705 equipped with a RFID reader 703 may collect such information.
In an embodiment, a passive RFID tag, such as a NFC tag, may be in communication with a reading device to create the system shown in
The golf information may be accumulated over time and shared through a data network, such as a cellular telephone network or the Internet, etc., to the manufacturer of the golf club or to another golf club manufacturer or to other golf equipment manufacturers or to retailers or other distributors of golf equipment. The accumulated information may be, in one embodiment, uploaded from the device 811 to a data processing system (e.g. a server 830) used by the manufacturer or manufacturers or retailers or other distributors, either directly from the device 811 (e.g. through a WiFi or Ethernet or cellular telephone connection provided by the device 811 or other coupled personal computing device), or the accumulated information may be transferred to another device (e.g. a laptop computer or other data processing system), which is not shown, and in turn the other device may upload the accumulated information (e.g. via the Internet) to the server 830 used by the manufacturer or manufacturers or retailers or other distributors. Transmitted information may be stored in an information database 832 located on server 830. Server 830 may be the same or different than server 710. Furthermore, information database 832 may be the same or different than tag identification database 708. In an embodiment, server 710 and server 830 communicate across a distributed network and tag identification database 708 and information database 832 represent tables of a relational database. Data, including and in addition to the accumulated information, may be communicated in either direction between server 830 and device 811.
In an embodiment, an active RFID tag, such as a 2.4 GHz Bluetooth tag, may be in communication with a reading device to create the system shown in
In an embodiment, information associated with a tag either inherently or characteristically may be stored directly on a device. For example, using the system illustrated in
In the method of
Golf grips can get worn over time and with usage. It is common for a golfer to replace a golf grip with a new grip during the life of a golf club. This process of “re-gripping” may be due to the grip being worn or due to the golfer wanting to change to a different type of grip for other reasons. Golf grip manufacturers may want the golfer to re-grip often in order to sell more golf grips.
In an embodiment, as shown in
In an embodiment, a golfer acquires the equipment in 1103. A RFID tag and/or golf application (e.g. on a smart phone or other device) may be configured to notify a golfer that is it time to replace the grip or re-grip the golf club. The golfer may download an application (e.g. onto a smart phone) upon or after purchasing the tagged equipment. In 1108, the golfer may read the tagged grip for the first time and the application may record and store the initial read of the specific tagged grip, per 1109. Alternatively, the information associated with the initial read, e.g., date and time, may be captured and transmitted to a database for storage in association with a tag UID. Reading the tagged grip may include bringing an RFID-enabled device within a certain range of the RFID tag to cause the RFID-enabled device to detect the presence of the RFID tag. For example, in relation to
As described in 1110, the application may prompt the golfer, requesting the golfer to decide when re-gripping of that club is desired. For example, the golfer may be prompted to provide a user input specifying a regrip condition. The regrip condition may be open-ended, e.g., the user may be prompted to input an integer corresponding to a duration until the club is deemed due for regripping. For example, the integer may correspond to a number of swings of the golf club before regripping is desired. Alternatively, the user input may include a user selection. For example, the golfer may be presented with a list of regrip conditions to choose from. In an embodiment, the options offered may include a) in a specified amount of time, such as a year, b) after a specified number of rounds of golf, such as 50, c) after a specified number of uses, such as 200, d) never, etc.
Monitoring of progress toward the regrip condition may depend on, or be independent of, future interaction between the mobile device having the golf application and the RFID tag. A time-based regrip condition independent of future interaction is specified, e.g., regrip after a year from receiving the user input. Thus, progress toward the regrip condition may be monitored by the golf application by tracking a clock associated with a mobile device having the golf application. In an embodiment, a count-based regrip condition independent of future interaction is specified, e.g., regrip after 25 rounds of golf. Thus, progress toward the regrip condition may be monitored by the golf application by tracking user inputs specifying that a new round of golf is being played. In an embodiment, a count-based regrip condition dependent on future interaction is specified, e.g., regrip after 500 swings of a golf club having the golf grip. Thus, progress toward the regrip condition may be monitored by bringing the mobile device within communication range of the golf grip each time the golf club is swung to register a count in the golf application or a database linked to the golf application.
When the golf application determines, or receives notification from an external process that it has been determined, that the regrip condition is met, the application may provide a notification to the golfer indicating that the golf grip is due for replacement. In an embodiment, the golfer is provided with a message that appears on the display of the golf GPS device or personal computing device, such as “The grip on your 4-iron is due to be replaced”, per 1111. Other techniques to remind the golfer may include sending the golfer a text or an email, or displaying a notification when logging into the golf application online.
After replacing a golf grip on a golf club with a replacement grip, the replacement grip may be associated with information about the golf club that was previously captured and/or stored through communication with the original golf grip. Replacement grips may include a new tag, with its own unique identifier and potentially other information (e.g. type of grip). However, the previously stored information about the golf club and usage of the golf club may nonetheless be important to evaluating behavior trends of the golfer. For example, even though the grip has changed, the past use of the golf club, e.g., past shots made with the golf club, may still be relevant to evaluating golfer use of the club with the new grip. Accordingly, a method of associating the replacement grip with the past information, e.g., club-specific information or usage information associated with the original UID, may be provided.
When a golf grip is replaced and first brought into communication range of a mobile device having a golf application, the mobile device may detect the presence of the different RFID tag coupled with the replacement grip and recognize that it includes a different UID than those previously received through the mobile device. In response, the golfer may be prompted with a guide to associating the replacement golf grip with the information associated with the original golf grip. The guide may usher the end-user through a process of associating the new replacement grip, per 1112. For example, the golfer may be presented with an option to associate the replacement golf grip with a golf club previously registered with the golf application. By doing so, the replacement UID may be transmitted to a server and associated with the original UID in a database. Thus, the replacement UID may be linked to information stored along with the original UID in the database, including club-specific and usage information associated with the original UID.
It should be understood that there are various other uses for this type of RFID golf club tag system. For example, this type of RFID tag and tracking system may be used by golf equipment manufacturers for preventing/deterring counterfeit equipment. For example, unique identifiers affixed to golf equipment in a permanent or semi-permanent manner may be stored in a database of “authentic” equipment. At the retail level, a user (e.g. a consumer, a retailer or employee of the golf equipment maker, etc.) may read the tagged equipment with a RFID-enabled device. The identifier read by the device may be transferred to the database and compared against the list of authentic identifiers and the application may present the user with a message authenticating the golf grip or golf club. For example “This is an authentic Ping driver”.
This type of system may be used as a point-of-sale enhancement. For example, in an embodiment, an end-user may read a tag on a golf grip or a golf club at a retail location and view an advertisement about that specific piece of golf grip or golf club equipment on the end-user's smart phone.
This type of system may be used for end-user generated messages related to equipment “lost and found”. For example, in an embodiment, an end-user may write (either directly to an equipment-affixed tag or, for example, to a website associated with the tag) a message such as “This is John Smith's pitching wedge. Click here to send John a text including the location of the found golf club”, etc. Thus, if another golfer finds a tagged golf club that has been left behind or lost, the other golfer may read the tag, see the message and communicate with the owner of the equipment.
This type of system may be used for retail-level tracking. For example, in an embodiment, a tagged piece of equipment at a retail location may be read by an employee of the manufacturer of the piece of equipment. The employee may use a RFID-enabled device to read the tagged item. The employee may have a version of an application on the employee's device that enables the employee to see certain data either stored on the tag or in the database (i.e. the employee may be able to see information that a consumer, for example, may not be able to see). This may be accomplished by using a key code in the application, by providing different versions of the application to employees, or providing access to certain features in an application accessible with a password or code only. The retail-level tracking information may include, for example, the distribution facility the equipment was shipped from, the ship date, the retailer the equipment was shipped to, etc. This information may be valuable to the equipment manufacturer because it is a known problem in the retail business that equipment may end up at a retail location where it may not supposed to be.
This type of system may be used for television or radio broadcast enhancement. For example, in an embodiment, when a televised golfer (e.g. professional, collegiate or other) chooses a golf club to use for a specific golf shot, the system described herein could add value to the broadcast by confirming the golf club the golfer is about to use. It is common for a broadcaster to inform the viewing/listening audience which golf club the golfer is about to use. Currently, a broadcaster has to rely on information relayed by the golfer's caddie or another person, via verbal communication, which can then be communicated to the broadcaster via radio or wireless communication. Using the system described herein, the golfer's caddie could remove a golf club and before handing it to the golfer the caddie could read the tagged club with a RFID-enabled device and the device, or a server networked with the device, may wirelessly transmit the information to whomever is granted access rights to the information, including the broadcaster.
Referring to
Computer 1200 of
The data storage device 1210 may include a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium 1218 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g. software 1220, which may be golf application software 704) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or operations described herein. Software 1220 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the computer usable volatile memory 1206, computer usable non-volatile memory 1208, and/or within central processor unit 1204 during execution thereof by computer 1200, the computer usable volatile memory 1206, computer usable non-volatile memory 1208, and/or central processor unit 1204 also constituting non-transitory machine-readable storage media.
In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evident that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.
Savarese, Chris, McGill, Susan
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Jan 10 2014 | Tag Golf, LLC | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Jan 10 2014 | SAVARESE, CHRIS | Radar Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 034989 | /0596 | |
Jan 10 2014 | MCGILL, SUSAN | Radar Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 034989 | /0596 | |
Apr 02 2014 | Radar Corporation | Tag Golf, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 034999 | /0854 |
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